צוות המחנה
Camp Staff
Year Round Team
Rosh Machaneh (Director)
Josh Micley – K’06
COO/CFO
Netanel Spiegel
Director of Development and Engagement
Zvi Zobin
Director of Camper Experience
Benjamin (Bentie) Rabinovitch
Director of Staff Experience
Deb Shafran
Registrar & Office Manager
Shore Goldberg – K’18
Business Manager
Rhonda Lake Cohen
Operations Manager
Ethan Naviasky – K’15
Rosh Machaneh (Director)
Josh Micley – K’06
Josh Micley grew up at Camp Yavneh, spending nine years as a camper (Kerem ‘06) and eight years on staff as a madrich, rosh ayda, and moreh. Josh holds a Master of Education in School Leadership from Harvard University and an MS in Teaching from Fordham University. He has spent his career in education, working as a public school teacher and administrator and serving most recently as the Camp Director at Capital Camps & Retreat Center in Pennsylvania. Josh comes home to Yavneh as Director, joined by his wife Alexa and their three children: Aaron, Elan, and Meirav. He is proud to return to the community that inspired his path, and to partner with the Yavneh team to shape the experience for the next generation of campers and staff.
COO/CFO
Netanel Spiegel
Netanel is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Camp Yavneh, working for camp year round to ensure that each summer is better than the one before. Netanel joined the Camp Yavneh family in 2012 as a member of Camp's Food Service (YFS) and has taken on more and more responsibilities in the continued management of camp. Netanel spends his winters in Israel and counts down the days until summer to return to Northwood and be in the most special place on the planet!
Director of Development and Engagement
Zvi Zobin
Zvi Zobin most recently served as the Director of Atid at Jewish Federations of North America where he helped launch a next-gen philanthropy program. Prior to this role, Zvi served as IKAR's Director of Membership and Community Giving in Los Angeles where he increased their annual membership revenue by 45%. At IKAR, Zvi worked with the membership committee to create IKAR circles and launch the IKAR from Afar membership model. Zvi has an MA in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute and a B.S. in Business Management from Yeshiva University. He has spent several summers at Camp Moshava Ennismore in Canada, and on Mach Hach BaAretz, a summer tour of Israel for teens completing the tenth grade. Zvi’s passion for the Jewish Community led him to become a Birthright Israel Fellow and BBYO Jewish Educator. When not working, you can find Zvi supporting youth as a volunteer for the Trevor Project, taking group fitness classes, and cooking.
Director of Camper Experience
Benjamin (Bentie) Rabinovitch
Benjamin (Bentie) Rabinovitch has been a valuable member of our summer Hanhallah (leadership team) serving as our Rosh Tzeirim (Head of Lower Camp) since 2022. Prior to joining Yavneh's summer staff, Bentie has 16 years of experience working at Jewish overnight camps in the US, Israel, and Europe. Most recently, he worked as Program Director at Camp Svarvas in Hungary for six years. During the year, Bentie has worked as a school social worker: at the Abraham Joshua Heschel School in Manhattan (2017-2023), and at the Shefa School (2023-2024). He earned his Masters degree at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, and he has a certificate in Experiential Education from Yeshiva University. Bentie will bring his vast camp experience, as well as his expertise as a mental health provider working with kids, to this newly created role.
Director of Staff Experience
Deb Shafran
Deb is thrilled to join the Yavneh Family! With a background in education and experience working with teens, young adults, and staff, she eagerly anticipates integrating her skills into the camp community. Holding a Bachelor's in Elementary and Special Education, along with a Masters in Special Education, Deb brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Originally from Upstate NY, Deb has spent the past 18 transformative years in Israel,. She is enthusiastic about infusing her love of Judaism, Israel and community into the Yavneh Kehillah. When not at camp, Deb resides in Albany NY with her husband and three children – Rami, Matan, and Dina.
Registrar & Office Manager
Shore Goldberg – K’18
After a short hiatus, Shore is incredibly excited to be coming back to Camp Yavneh! Shore has spent the last five years working as part of senior leadership at Camp Givah in Albany, NY, and is currently earning his BA in Graphic Design at Binghamton University. Since he was in high school, Shore has been eager to help strengthen and build bonds within the Jewish communities. From Teaching at various Hebrew schools to volunteering with Northeast NCSY and NCSY Alumni, Shore has always done whatever he can to help ensure a bright future for Jewish youth- and is incredibly excited to bring that energy to his new role as Registrar and Office administrator at Camp Yavneh! Shore currently lives in Vestal, NY with his wife Shajar.
Business Manager
Rhonda Lake Cohen
Rhonda is thrilled to be back at Camp Yavneh as Business Administrator after attending camp from 1978 through 1983. She tells everyone she meets that Camp Yavneh truly shaped her as a person and that camp is one of her favorite childhood memories. Rhonda earned a BSEE from Tufts University and an MBA from Northeastern University. Rhonda recently relocated back to the Boston area after spending over 25 years in Morris County, New Jersey, where she and her late husband Mike raised two daughters, Allison and Deanna. She spent most of her career in engineering, but more recently, was the business manager for her town’s public library. In her free time, Rhonda enjoys reading, going to the gym, watching sports and traveling.
Operations Manager
Ethan Naviasky – K’15
Ethan is excited to continue his time at Yavneh as the Operations Manager. Working year round to ensure that each summer is better than the one before. Ethan has been at Yavneh since 2011; first as a a camper (K'15), counselor, and rosh aydah (unit head). Ethan started working full time in 2021 after graduating with a B.A. in International Relations from SUNY Geneseo. He is currently living in Denver and enjoys skiing, sports, board games, reading, and spending time with friends when he is not at Camp. Ethan is counting down the days until he is back in Northwood working hard to make the summer a success!
Facilities Team
Facilities Manager
Russ Bassett
Eli Friend-Gray
Nicky Oates
Jess Townes
Eric Bickford
Mark Tibbets
Facilities Manager
Russ Bassett
Russ started working at Camp Yavneh in 2006. He is a retired firefighter and loves to go fishing when he has the time for it. Russ lives in Pittsfield, NH and has 8 children, 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Russ most looks forward to opening day every summer and seeing all the happy campers! Russ's favorite place at the machaneh is the porch of bunks B5 and B6 because they overlook the agam.